Judaism

Unity

In Print Michal Popper

As a Jew living in Israel I can express my burning desire that this whole country be united and focused on the same Jewish morals and values.

Talmud: How a 1500-Year-Old Subject Teaches Critical 21st Century Thinking Skills

Judaism Rabbi Elchanan Poupko

When learning Talmud, history and geography suddenly come alive as generations unite and converse in one classroom.

Talmudic Risk-Diversification

Parsha Rabbi Ben-Tzion Spitz

The Torah tells stories of people who heard the voice of God and risked it all, However, for those of us who have not heard the voice of God, our sages suggest a more nuanced approach to risk.

Trust-but Verify

The Foundation Stone Rabbi Simcha Weinberg

Esau handled the meeting with Jacob far more grace than most people manage an argument with a spouse. Not bad behavior for a person we are taught is one of the most evil biblical characters!

A Pre-Modern Joke about Post-Modernism

Parsha Rabbi Aryeh Klapper

Human interpretation of G-d’s work is always reaching beyond ourselves, and we should be suspicious of any theory that successfully explains everything in Torah – more likely we are imposing our own vision on the text.

Learning From Lavan

Judaism Rabbi Boruch Leff

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Be Fearful of Religion: Parashat Veyetze

Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Yaakov introduces a great foundation of Halacha: To give a religious moment an ongoing effect it must be translated into the tangible, the mundane. He picks up a rock.

I Need Needs

Judaism Rabbi Ben Tzion Shafier

At times it almost seems as if Hashem is deliberately sabotaging our well-laid plans for serving Him. And it doesn’t make much sense.

Daf Yomi

Judaism Rabbi Yaakov Klass

A Threat To Life And Limb ‘How Many Lashes Are Given Him?’ (Makkos 22a-b)

Can Someone Who Borrowed From Two Joint Lenders Refuse To Repay If He’s Sued...

Judaism Raphael Grunfeld

The reason the defendant is entitled to refuse to repay the loan or to return the deposit to only one of its owners is that he accepted the money or the deposit from both.

Q & A: A Kohen’s Prayer (Part II)

Judaism Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan

Surreptitious Murder – Eidim Zommemim

Judaism Raphael Grunfeld

In the case of eidei hachashah, however, the second pair of witnesses testifies that the crime never occurred.

Defective Return

Judaism Rabbi Meir Orlian

When Shraga was ready to go back, Ari looked in the closet, but the shirt was missing.

Holy Money

Judaism Rabbi Raphael Fuchs

When Eliezer came to find a wife for Yitzchak, he came with jewelry and presents. Yaakov, on the other hand, came with nothing.

Giving Blessings To Everyone, Everywhere

Judaism Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis

Eternal wisdom and guidance from Rebbetzin Jungresi (A"H)

Double Or Nothing

Judaism Zelda Goldfield

Only when Shabbos finally arrived and the food was cooked, table set, baby sleeping peacefully, did those angels remember to come and wish us a gut Shabbos.

When The “I” Is Silent

Judaism Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l

More than prayer changes G-d, it changes us. It lets us see, feel, and know that “G-d is in this place.” That is why, and where, Jacob, established Ma’ariv, the evening prayer.

Kislev

In Print Michal Popper

We as Jewish people must remember daily who we are, and who we come from and who our forefathers were.

Parshas Va’yetze

Judaism Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Heaven and Earth

The Foundation Stone Rabbi Simcha Weinberg

Jacob did not have problems with 'doorways.' He experienced one emotional earthquake after another, and managed to maintain focus. No 'event boundary' issues for our hero. How did he do it?

Redeeming Relevance: Vayetzeh: Why Ya’akov DIDN’T Pray

Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf Rabbi Francis Nataf

Ya’akov did not pray for Rachel to conceive because he did not believe in "forcing God’s hand." He asks, “Am I instead of God? God knows best whether to give children or not. All I can do is ask.”

The Rubashkin Saga – VII

Judaism Rabbi Hanoch Teller

The ongoing Rubashkin saga has a new character--the unions.

Parshat Toldot

Judaism Rabbi Dr. David Hertzberg

Leaders often have to make difficult decisions of critical importance.

Seeing Greatness

Judaism Rabbi Shlomo Rosenblatt

We are what we make ourselves.

The Danger of Not Valuing Mitzvot

Judaism Rabbi Raphael Fuchs

Yaakov Avinu only gave Eisav a pot of beans in exchange for his birthright. Wasn’t the birthright worth far more than a pot of beans?

Hashem, Thank You For Everything!

Judaism Naomi Brudner

Why don't we just sell it? That way not only won't we have the expense of painting it, but we'll have extra cash as well.

Does The Release Of One Guarantor Release The Other? (Siman 77:8)

Judaism Raphael Grunfeld

The underlying loan survives as the obligation of the borrower even after the release of the first guarantor.

Q & A: A Kohen’s Prayer (Part I)

Judaism Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Do Or Die (Sanhedrin 74a)

Judaism Raphael Grunfeld

There are, however, times when the concern of Chillul Hashem is so paramount that one must choose to die rather than violate any prohibition in public.